Lee Westwood heading back to USPGA tour after being inspired by Luke Donald

LEE WESTWOOD has admitted Luke Donald’s success in America has persuaded him to rejoin the US PGA Tour.

LEE WESTWOOD has admitted Luke Donald’s success in America has persuaded him to rejoin the US PGA Tour.

From next year, the world No.3 will play on both sides of the Atlantic and a minimum of 15 events on the US Tour.

In October last year, Westwood, 38, insisted he would rather go on holiday with his children than play in the lucrative end-of-season FedEx Cup. “It doesn’t mean enough to me,” he said.

But after watching Donald keep a firm grip on the No.1 ranking by playing regularly in the States and winning both money lists, he has had a rethink.

He will also return to compete in the Players’ Championship in May.

“Watching Luke do so well in the FedEx Cup tournaments made me want to try it out, too,” said Westwood. “I sat there on my sofa, saw how big the events were – they carry a lot of world ranking points – and they look like great courses they play.

“You need a change every now and again or else you can get stale. I fancy it.”

Ireland’s Graeme McDowell and Rory McDowell reckon they are favourites for the World Cup which starts in China today. “On paper we are favourites but this game is not played on paper,” said McDowell. “They are some quality, quality teams.”